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Archive for June, 2014

MECHANICSBURG, Pa. — Sunbury Press has released Joanne Risso’s latest childrens book “My Mom Is an Alien,” dealing with immigration in a stimulating way. Dylan Matukaitis provided the illustrations.

About the Book:
My mom says she is an alien, but I am not so sure. She does sound funny when she speaks, and she eats weird food. Sometimes I think I see antennae sticking out the top of her head. She does not drive a spaceship, though, just a minivan. How can I really tell if she is an alien or not? You be the judge!

My Mom Is an Alien humorously explores the concept of immigration to the USA from the perspective from an Australian woman.

About the Author

Joanne L.S. Risso was born and raised in Gippsland, Australia. She never had a pet platypus, but she did have a pet kangaroo named Fred when she was a girl. Joanne was classed as having ‘alien status’ by the U.S. government when she first immigrated to the U.S.A. She lives with her husband and four children in Central Pennsylvania. Please visit http://www.joannerisso.com to learn more about the author, who does not really have green skin or own a spaceship, though she does sound funny when she speaks.

About the Illustrator

Dylan Matukaitis is currently a student at Arcadia University, Pennsylvania, where he is studying Graphic Design. He loves reading and drawing, and considers himself a professional at lip-syncing to songs on the radio or his iPod. His favorite color is blue and his biggest celebrity crush is Beyoncé. This is his first published work as a children’s book artist.

PORT ST. LUCIE, Fla. — Sunbury Press has released Keith Rommel’s 3rd installment of the Thanatology series — The Sinful Man

About the Book:

Headaches. Hunger. Pain.

Leo needs something . . . his stomach growls, but it can wait. That’s not hunger he must feed. He has to get to his next high, but without money he knows he can’t buy what he needs to sate the voice inside telling him to get more, get more.

Voices. Visions. Addiction.

No luck asking his father. His mother is in no position to help. After failing to steal the money he desperately needs, Leo must appeal to his dealer, the dangerous and infamous Saint Nick—despite the inevitable beating he’ll take for showing up empty-handed. Still, anything to keep the voices and flashbacks at bay . . .

Demons. Addiction. Death.

Leo soon learns that everything has a price—not just money for drugs, but that every choice he makes has a repercussion. Suddenly caught between a world where he can see the sins of his past and a new consciousness that he doesn’t fully understand, Leo finds himself not only chasing the dragon, but being chased by demons of a whole different kind. He must learn the finality of being past hope—all while reliving his missed opportunities for second chances—and truly come to understand that he is responsible for his own undoing before he runs out of time. After a lifetime of bad choices, this Sinful Man discovers the consequences to his actions and the mortal responsibility of exercising free will.

What others are saying:

“Downright chilling. Rommel has woven another nightmare that will haunt your days and nights!” — Hunter Shea, author of The Montauk Monster and The Waiting
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“Reading late into the night, this had me wanting more… and dreading it.” — Catherine Jordan, author of Seeking Samiel
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From the very beginning of The Sinful Man, Keith Rommel grabs the reader by the throat and catapults him into a world where the reader’s own pounding heart screams that nowhere is safe. –Thomas M. Malafarina, author of Dead Kill – Book 1 – The Ridge of Death

The Cursed Man, by Keith Rommel, tells the story of Alister Kunkle, a patient at Sunnyside Capable Care Mental Institution. Alister has been in seclusion for the last 25 years, having no contact with the staff or the outside world. The reason for this is that anyone who communicates with Alister dies within the day, for he is the Cursed Man and Death takes a professional interest in those unlucky enough to cross his path.

Believing him simply deranged, Dr Anna Lee, an up-and-coming young psychiatrist, has come to cure Alister. She is warned about Alister’s past and is shown evidence of previous encounters made by the skeptical or unbelieving, all of whom died, sometimes horribly. Regardless of the stories, Anna will not be dissuaded and is reluctantly allowed access to Alister. All assume her fate is sealed, but when she returns unharmed the next day, we also start to wonder about the stories.

So begins an enthralling narrative told in the past and the present as Anna attempts to learn why Alister believes he is cursed, while at the same time trying to convince him the events were not real and that in fact he is merely ill and so can be cured. Is Alister truly followed by death or is he simply mentally ill? The Cursed Man is an extremely well-written suspense horror story… I enjoyed it immensely; right up until the very end I was never sure of the outcome… Great story-telling in the tradition of Stephen King… — Booklore

What happens after we die? Are we given choices based on how we lived our lives? It’s an age-old question pondered by just about everyone.

Author Keith Rommel dared to explore the answer by creating his newest novel The Lurking Man, a story of dark suspense that unmercifully reveals the life of a self-deluded, neglectful mother who caused irreparable damage to her family and ultimately struggles with death as much as life. It’s the second novel in his suspenseful and thrilling Thanatology series that began with the eerie, spine-tingling The Cursed Man.

“Imagine Death knowing your deepest, darkest secrets and all of your private pain,” said Rommel about The The Lurking Man. “Now imagine it wants to use what it knows against you so that you bend to its will.”

In the Lurking Man, main character Cailean stands beneath a spotlight in a blinding snowstorm. She has no idea where she is or how she got there, but she senses something moving around her in the darkness outside the light.

When the ominous presence calling himself Sariel makes himself known, he declares that he is Death Incarnate and that Cailean has died. He has taken her to the Aperture, a place between the living and the dead, where he will force her to face the sins of her past in exchange for twenty-four hours of life to try and right her wrongs. But what she must do in return for this precious time is unthinkable.

“Now George Bailey,” he said, “everyone gets a Rommel book and all you need to do is sell me the building and loan and rename the town Potterville.”

“Mr. Potter,” said George, putting the cigar back in the humidor, “Well, Mr. Potter — you see — that just isn’t right. Mr. Potter — you shouldn’t be giving out psycho-thrillers to everyone in town — Mr. Potter! That’s just crazy, Mr. Potter — just crazy…. I don’t want your deal, Mr. Potter, and neither does Bedford Falls! We want to read good books, Mr. Potter, like “Go Dog Go” and “Grapes of Wrath” and “The Old Man and the Sea”, Mr. Potter — not these nutzo books … what would Mr. Gower think? What about Zuzu? … Mary! Mary! Do you hear this — Potter’s giving out nutzo books!”

Snarling, Mr. Potter pulled away from his desk and glared at the lanky banker.

“George Bailey, you will regret this …”

************************

George Bailey and his bride are about to leave on their honeymoon. Mary Bailey handed George Keith Rommel’s “Thanatology Series” to read on the train.

“Mary! Mary! What’s this?” asked George.

“Just something for you to read, Georgie, to get your mind off the building and loan…” offered Mary.

“Mary! Mary! These are those nutzo books Mr. Potter wanted to spread around!” exclaimed the young banker. “Well, I’ll have none …”

“Mary! What? Oh Mary!” said George, fumbling with The Cursed Man, The Lurking Man and The Sinful Man. “Oh my, Mary! They’re not only good — Mary! — these books are great! Oh Mary — what am I to do — I canceled the book signing at Mr. Gower’s store because Potter wanted to buy everyone nutzo books and change the town name! But these books are good! No! No! Mr. Potter can’t be right!”

George then dropped the books and stormed out onto the street — running through the snow and sleet — at one point he was about to jump off the bridge into the Susquehanna River below.

“I’m a screwball” he said, “I messed up Keith Rommel’s book signing at Mr. Gower’s store…”

The next thing George knew, he was waming himself in a small bungalo by the river with Clarence, the angel.

“Sometimes, George, bad people can inadvertently do good things,” offered Clarence. “Mr. Potter didn’t know the books were actually entertaining — he was so focused on taking over the town. He would do anything to take over. But that doesn’t mean Keith Rommel’s book signing shouldn’t happen!”

“Oh Clarence … what am I to do …?” whimpered George Bailey.

“Let’s see if we can’t make things right,” suggested Clarence.

*********************************

George Bailey jumped up from the table in the bungalo and burst out the door. Clarence was right! Everything was going to be OK. The Keith Rommel book signing could still happen in Bedford Falls, despite the prying Mr. Potter.

“The Cursed Man is coming! The Cursed Man is coming!” shouted George Bailey as he ran through the snow down Main Street.

George ran past the police car and shouted at Bob the policeman, “The Cursed Man is coming Bob! The Cursed Man is coming!” The officer looked at him like he was a kook.

He ran past Mr. Gower’s store. “Nutzo books for everybody! The Cursed Man is coming!” he yelled, slipping on the snow, heading for his home and his beloved Mary, Janie, Tommy and little Zuzu …

***************************

George Bailey arrived back at the Bailey house to find a throng gathered around the table. The whole town had arrived, including brother Harry Bailey, back from the war.

“Mary! Harry! Uncle Billy! The Cursed Man is coming!” exclaimed George as he put his arms around Mary.

Meanwhile, townspeople dumped money on the table to get multiple copies of The Cursed Man, The Lurking Man and The Sinful Man.

“I’ve emptied my account at the building and loan to buy these Rommel books,” said Mr. Vincetti.

“Bless your heart,” whispered George.

“I gave my last fifteen dollars for one!” said Mrs. Hopkins.

“Oh no, no … you don’t need to do that. … Uncle Billy … see to it!” said George.

“Of course, of course,” said Uncle Billy, tying another string on his finger.

As the cash piled up, it was realized that The Cursed Man was going to be the #1 selling book in Bedford Falls in advance of the book signing. Townsfolk were now ready for the arrival of Keith Rommel on September 19.

Note: Keith will be at the Sunbury Press store on September 5. His limo arrives around 6 PM and he is staying until 9. The Bedford Falls appearance will follow …

MECHANICSBURG, Pa. — Sunbury Press has released Jack Adler’s latest Derry Greene Thriller “Impresario of Terror,” the second book in the series.

About the Book:

Impresario of Terror is a contemporary action/adventure novel pitting a highly unusual Filipino terrorist against an American investigator for a top U.S. travel firm. In concert with al Qaeda, the Abu Sayyaf, a Muslim insurgent group operating in the southern Philippines, charges Tramerica with being in the foreground of a new economic colonialism campaign by the U.S. for also being a conduit for international drug trafficking.

Derry Greene is sent to Manila to help clear up the charges and to seek the release of one of its passengers, who has been arrested for possession of cocaine. But his task is greatly complicated when he is kidnapped himself by the Abu Sayyaf. He faces an unusual form of brain washing and then with death unless he makes a statement incriminating his company and the U.S. Amid all the disasters wreaked by Honore, the Abu Sayyaf leader, Derry also falls in love with Detective Elena Paquino from the Manila police, and they have an odd off-and-on romance.

PARIS, France — Sunbury Press has released author James L. Witherell’s new edition of his encyclopedic history of the Tour de France “When Heroes Were Giants: 101 Tours de France.”

About the Book:
By far the most complete history of the Tour de France ever written–in any language–When Heroes Were Giants: 101 Tours de Francetakes the reader into the heart of every “Grande Boucle” (Big Loop) held since 1903. Exhaustively researched over the past fifteen years, this account of the world’s greatest sporting event not only covers every race in great detail, it also explores how the Tour de France became a country’s national obsession–and why.

Draconian rules, bitter rivalries, and even sabotage are all part of the Tour’s colorful history, and When Heroes Were Giants captures all of the event’s action and drama. Every chapter opens with a look into feuds, collaborations, and other subplots that often had a direct bearing on the outcome of the race. The recounting of each Tour de France then includes every stage of every race, often punctuated with colorful quotes from the riders, the journalists, and even the race officials.

At the end of each race is a comprehensive set of results that includes the winner of every major classification (plus a few minor ones), prize money, and even details about the race-winning bicycle.

For the Tour de France trivia buff the story of each race also includes a complete rundown of changes made and milestones achieved during that particular event. These interesting tidbits run the gamut, detailing every Tour-related fact from superlatives to oddities, and even superhuman efforts–some of which turned out to be too good to be true. Any fan of the Tour de France can’t help but be intrigued by this book; from the heroes and villains of the great race to the riders who struggled just to start, it’s all here — including the 2014 race preview.

MECHANICSBURG, Pa. — Sunbury Press has released the bestseller list for May, 2014. Terry Ray’s novel “Revolt!” led the way.

About Revolt!

Jihad arrives on American shores. The President lacks the courage to effectively confront the terrorists and would rather negotiate and capitulate than fight. The court system allows terrorists, represented by the ACLU, to use our own constitutional rights to tighten the noose around America’s neck.

It becomes clear that a terrorist victory is almost certain unless Americans are freed of a federal government that refuses to protect them and a court system that aids and abets the enemy.

When the U.S. military is unsuccessful in convincing the president to change course and engage the enemy in a state of war, the patient American people face the most fundamental question every country must answer at some moment its history – What are we willing to do to save our beloved homeland?

After much heart-wrenching discussion and debate, Americans finally decide. They must . . . Revolt!

SUNBURY PRESS – Bestsellers for May, 2014 (by Revenue)

Rank

Last Month

Title

Author

Category

1

Revolt!

Terry Ray

Political Fiction

2

GXM731

Terry Ray

Science Fiction

3

7

The Cursed Man

Keith Rommel

Thriller Fiction

4

9

The Undecided

Robin Donaruma

YA Fiction

5

Song Poems in Search of Music

Joe Farley

Poetry

6

Freemasons at Gettysburg

Sheldon Munn

History

7

Rockabilly Rebel

Mack Allen Smith

Music History

8

The Bear

Wendy Latty

Childrens

9

6

The Closer

Alan Mindell

Sports Fiction

10

We’ll I’ll Be Hanged

Tim Dempsey

History

11

1

Keystone Tombstones V3

Farrell & Farley

History

12

4

Amelia Earhart: The Truth at Last

Mike Campbell

History

13

Fatal Snow

Robert Walton

Action Fiction

14

The Oxygen Factory

Renee des Lauriers

YA Fiction

15

Winter of the Metal People

Dennis Herrick

Historical Fiction

16

The Cogan Legend

Robert Miller

Historical Fiction

17

Hour 30

Brandon Musgrave

Medical Memoir

18

The Lurking Man

Keith Rommel

Thriller Fiction

19

Keystone Tombstones V1

Farrell & Farley

History

20

Keystone Tombstones Civil War

Farrell & Farley

History

Sunbury Press enjoyed the best May ever. Sales were up 17% over last year. This month we have expanded the bestseller list to 20 to account for the higher number of titles we are managing, and the upward trend in unit sales. Last month’s rankings included only 10 books, 5 of which did not make the top 20 this month.

Terry Ray’s novels, Revolt! & GXM731 were helped by author events. Keith Rommel’s The Cursed Man & The Lurking Man charted thanks to strong sales at Rocky’s Hardware and interest in The Cursed Man movie. Robin Donaruma’s The Undecided grabbed #4 thanks to bookstore orders. Joe Farley’s Song Poems in Search of Music was #5 thanks to author activity, as were Sheldon Munn’sFreemasons at Gettysburg & Mack Allen Smith’s Rockabilly Rebel. The Bear, by Wendy Latty, benefitted from being the featured book in the Sunbury Store on First Friday in May. Alan Mindell’s The Closer slipped a bit due to a number of returns from bookstores. Tim Dempsey’s Well I’ll Be Hanged debuted on the chart thanks to strong sales in Nebraska. The Joes, Farrell & Farley, took three spots with three of their Keystone Tombstones volumes — I, III, and Civil War. Mike Campbell’s Amelia Earhart: The Truth at Last hung on thanks to sales in Arizona. Robert Walton’s Fatal Snow returned to the rankings thanks to sales at Bob’s Bagels. Renee des Lauriers’ The Oxygen Factory debuted at #14 thanks to ecommerce sales in both print and ebook. Dennis Herrick’s Winter of the Metal People & Robert Miller’s The Cogan Legend, grabbed spots thanks to author appearances. Brandon Musgrave’s Hour 30 continues to be the top ebook, ranking #17 overall.

MECHANICSBURG, Pa. — Sunbury Press has released Mark Slades short story compilation “Electric Funeral: A Compilation of Short Stories Inspired by the Art of Darwins Mishap.”

About the Book:

Mark Slade, the publisher of “Nightmare Illustrated” magazine and contributor to Undead Living brings us this chilling collection of 15 morbid tales inspired by the dark artwork of Darwins Mishap.

Excerpt:

I lay on a pile of leaves, turned my coat up on my neck to deflect the cold wind whipping around me, all of those things ran rampant through my head. I closed my eyes, tried hard to convince myself I was free from all the stress that used weigh me down, when the truth stared me in the face. I had more troubles than I wanted.

I felt a cold hand touch my face. I flinched, opened my eyes quickly. I saw a young, dark haired woman in a hospital gown standing in front of me. She was stone-faced, no emotions at all. Her large brown eyes were lifeless. Her extreme pale skin only made dark circles under her eyes stand out more. She had her arms at her sides, but her right hand jumped as if she were keeping time to an imaginary song.